In the Dunedin section of Harcourt’s second Otago Market report for 2020, it said "a lower retail block on Princes St" had been vacated, ready for demolition.
That was in reference to addresses surrounding Philip Laing House from 170 Rattray St around the corner to 201 Princes St, but not including 150 Rattray St, which is owned by Darling Realty principal Lincoln Darling.
Harcourts yesterday retracted the information from its market report and the spokesman said he understood there were other sites under consideration.
The buildings on Rattray and Princes Sts are owned by John Farry and Tony Clear’s company Farry Clear Ltd.
The company bought the Rattray St buildings in the past 12 months.
When asked about the ACC suggestion, Mr Clear said it was not true.
"No. No-one’s approached us. We just bought it because it came up.
"I can put my hand on my heart and say no, we haven’t got any real plan for it at this stage.
"We’re just working down the track on that at the moment.
"Someone else mentioned that to me the other day. But, no we haven’t been approached by ACC."
Mr Darling had also heard the rumour, but he had not had any approach from ACC.
Mr Clear said there had been discussions between Ngai Tahu and ACC.
"I don’t know if the deal’s been done or whatever."
Ngai Tahu Property and ACC did not respond to requests for comment.
Mr Clear said he and Mr Farry had no firm plans for their buildings at present.
"We haven’t approached the council about demolishing it.
"We’d like to redevelop it, but we haven’t got any ideas of what we’re redeveloping it as."
ACC confirmed in September last year it was planning a new building for 500 staff in Dunedin. At the time it said it expected to be able to announce a preferred site within months.
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When will people learn? Just when hotels are out of favour we now have government departments trying to inflict high rise buildings on us! This latest proposal is totally out of keeping with Dunedin's heritage streets and would totally dominate the skyline. Has anyone thought of the light this would block for people enjoying the winter sun in the streets below? It's also ugly, looks to me like a 1970's Wellington government building. Not for us!